Entry in The Bookshop Picture Prompt Challenge - December 2018
It had arrived without a warning
a torrential rain turning footing slick
driving sheets making the river rise
and the unimaginable occurred too quick
They said he didn't hesitate
when the accident took place
they said a look of horror
fixed a mask upon his face
They said he stripped his shoes and coat
and plunged into the flood
disappeared then rose again
from the torrent, stained with mud
They watched him flail toward the figure
bobbing in the swell
they saw him make a desperate lunge
a version they would tell
They watched two tiny dots
swirl toward the weir
and clutching one another
felt expectation turn to fear
"Hang on my darling!"
the swimmer sputtered
"I'll keep you safe."
the vow he uttered
He heard them call from somewhere close
and glimpsed the men atop the bank
arms outstretched to grasp them both
he prayed there'd be someone to thank
The surging water drove them hard
and hitting the weir he felt the pain
in a single-minded act he held her high
the last command from a failing brain
The weight was lifted from his hands
and he knew at last the girl was saved
then surrendered to the river's pull
survival for himself now waved
Once more they tried, their act in vain
fingers grasped but couldn't grip
the hungry waters pulled him down
and as he sank he felt them slip
Stark faces turned to greet the woman
the sobbing girl tight by her side
helpless in their rescue's failure
embarrassed as she broke and cried
She felt the tug from the tiny hand
and knelt down slowly, features drawn
her heart split wide from the question asked
"Mommy, where has daddy gone?"